BH CORRESPONDENT, New Delhi: The first compact and proper SUV from Suzuki was introduced in April 1970, and ever since with its rugged 4WD technology it has proved itself to be a genuine and highly capable off-roader that’s nimble and lightweight.
Now, Maruti wants to be sure with the Indian market about the prospects of the new fourth generation Jimny SUV that was introduced in the international markets last year by parent company Suzuki. The ongoing Auto Expo at Greater Noida is serving as the platform for the carmaker to gauge its potential demand.
With the segment getting busier, the new Jimny should tick all the boxes nicely. It’s good-looking, modern in design with clean sheet metal bolted on a ladder frame and comes with a 1.5-litre engine mated o 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic transmission and 4WD. The Jimny is 3,550 mm long, 1,645mm wide and has a height of 1,730mm on a wheelbase of 2,250 mm. For off-road enthusiasts, the SUV’s approach angle of 37° ramp breakover angle of 28° and departure angle of 49° allow it to climb over obstacles without touching its bumpers or scraping the chassis.
In normal driving, the Jimny is a 2WD but it features a part-time 4WD system with low range transfer gear, which can be easily switched from 2H (2WD-high gear), 4H (4WD-high gear) and 4L (4WD-low gear) modes by a shift lever directly connected to the transfer gear by the driver. Compared to the 4H mode, the 4L mode can transfer more torque to the tyres while in lower gears, a boon for drivers who often travel on steep slopes and rough terrain.
When asked about this vehicle at Auto Expo, Kenichi Ayukawa, managing director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited said: “The vehicle has been showcased at Auto Expo to assess response of the Indian consumers to the product.”
